Since voting on Dec. 4 to eliminate the proposed 3.4 percent tax increase through spending reductions, I have heard from many residents thanking me for taking them into consideration. In return, I want to thank you for your comments, suggestions and support. Adopting the 2013 budget without a tax increase was in the best interest of all county taxpayers and I firmly believe that the cuts approved by myself and a majority of the Legislature will deliver a balanced budget, providing a secure financial future for the county and allowing us to provide necessary services for residents without a tax increase.

The implementation of a tax increase was never a viable option, in my opinion. The entire country is in economic uncertainty and while it is never an appropriate time to raise taxes, especially now we must be diligent and mindful of residents when it comes to government spending. I knew that if the Legislature voted for the tax increase that the County Executive wanted, taxpayers would be paying that “small” increase for eternity. It wasn’t just $18 more this year, but an added annual tax. In return, it would take away money for food, gas, mortgages, utilities, college tuitions, retirement, etc.

The cuts approved by the majority of the Legislature to eliminate the tax increase have been criticized by the County Executive. I want to be clear when I state that the cuts did not touch programs or services. Libraries and parks will be open in 2013 and roads will be plowed and repaired. The Sheriff’s Office will receive the funding it needs to serve and protect residents and other necessary departments, including Senior and Social services, will continue to respond to the needs of residents. The County Executive has unnecessarily threatened all of these departments, saying services could be affected. It is also important for residents to understand that changes to the budget cannot be made without Legislature approval.

Frankly, I am disappointed by the County Executive’s response. He ran on the platform of no tax increase, as did I. I chose to stand by my promise and deliver results to residents. During an interview with a member of the local media I stated that I had never seen people work so hard to raise taxes and still, now that the budget is resolved, we continue to hear the County Executive say that raising taxes 3.4 percent was the only option.

Finding inflated numbers in fringe benefits, overtime, the Safety Net program and risk retention, I knew we could cut spending, fund services and not raise taxes. This wasn’t the first time this year that County Executive and I disagreed on county finances. Repeatedly, the County Executive has requested to increase spending to deal with a county matter. He refused to allow the control board to borrow $24 million, insisting instead that the county go to market. That decision wasted $860,000 in interest. He also wanted to borrow to cover a $7 million legal settlement when the county had cash to cover the cost. Fortunately, without support from the Legislature, he was unable to borrow for the legal settlement and finally agreed to pay in cash, which saved on interest costs.

These battles are frustrating, especially when taxpayers contact me saying they live every day on a fiscal cliff. So yes, $18 a year was too much to ask from people who already pay among the highest taxes in the country. Every decision we make should protect the taxpayers.

With the budget now approved by the Legislature, we look to the new year and I will continue to utilize tax dollars appropriately. I wish everyone a very happy holiday season.